Problems of today, Ideas for tomorrow

Tufted Duck

At WWT Slimbridge the other day there was a largish population of tufted ducks. These ducks are pretty common in the UK, easily identified by the characteristic white side and the tuft at the back of the head. The female is much less distinctive, so is less easy to identify (see above link).

The pale blue-grey beak adds an attractive touch of colour to the otherwise essentially monochrome male. In the right light, there is also a suggestion of green on the head. You can see this and the tuft better in the following.

Related

Post navigation

3 thoughts on “Tufted Duck”

Handsome fellows. I did my graduate studies at York. These pics remind me of the impressive assortment of duck species resident at the Heslington campus, at least at that time. Its lake was quite the draw.

Hopefully now when we’re out walking we’ll both be able to tell if it’s a tufted duck or a goldeneye! Tufted had golden eyes, but a tufty head and a BLUE beak (ooo-er, here’s a thought, does the goldeneye also have a blue beak?? If so, we’re im trouble….)